Key Battle: Fornaroli v Keogh

Melbourne City and Perth Glory have scored 20 goals between them in their last three Hyundai A-League meetings and Sunday night’s Elimination Final looks set to be another entertaining and high-scoring affair. In this week’s key battle, we compare key strikers Bruno Fornaroli and Andy Keogh ahead of the game at AAMI Park.

For the second season running Fornaroli has been City’s main source of goals, scoring 17 times in the Hyundai A-League - only Melbourne Victory’s Besart Berisha and Brisbane Roar’s Jamie Maclaren have scored more.

In contrast, Keogh has found the net 12 times this season, making the Irishman Perth’s joint top scorer alongside Adam Taggart and Diego Castro.

Even so, it should be noted that eight of Fornaroli’s goals have come from the penalty spot whereas Keogh has netted all his goals from open play.

The City captain has a better minutes per goals ratio than his opposite number. On average Fornaroli has scored a goal every 137 minutes in the league, while Keogh has scored, on average, every 192 minutes.

Both players have started 26 out of 27 league games this season but Fornaroli has recorded a higher shooting accuracy with 62 per cent compared to Keogh’s 52 per cent.

The Uruguayan has also created more chances for his team mates this campaign, creating 33 chances compared to Keogh’s 22. Despite that, Keogh has more assists this season, with four to Fornaroli’s one.

Keogh has scored four goals against City this campaign, including a hat-trick in Round three which condemned City to their first defeat of the season.

In the three meetings between the sides this campaign, Fornaroli has scored three times, with two coming from the penalty spot.

The City skipper also missed two penalties in the 3-3 draw back in December, after two stunning saves from Perth goalkeeper Liam Reddy.

In an Elimination Final between two sides which create plenty of chances, the game is likely to be decided by which key striker converts the most chances.